By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

CINCINNATI, Ohio — While much of the national economy is sluggish at best, winery businesses in most states are enjoying successful times. In Ohio alone there are 71 wineries. The wine industry is flourishing in this state, with an average of 1.5 new wineries opening their doors every month. June is celebrated as Ohio Wine Month.

Hidden from view of passing motorists, yet just a stone’s throw from Interstate-275, sits the vineyard of Vinoklet Winery in northwest Hamilton County.

Perched atop picturesque rolling hills is a glass enclosed solarium and fresh air gazebo which provides visitors a panoramic view of the acres that surround the vineyards and three small lakes. This 40-acre farm (22-acres in grapes) wasn’t always so picture-perfect.
“Many decades ago this was once a dairy farm,” said Bill Rolfert, the winery manager. “When the owner made the purchase it was nothing but a dump, with old cars all over the premise.”

That owner and designer of Vinoklet Winery is Kreso Mikulic, a creative and innovative native of Croatia. Mikulic has numerous advanced electrical engineering degrees and is the holder of 52 motor patents.

Mikulic has been told he looks a lot like Albert Einstein. No doubt he’s just as smart. Mikulic’s accomplishments include the design of 400 cycle aerospace motors. Some of his noteworthy designs include the B1 Bomber (fuel transfer pump), Black Hawk Helicopter (hydraulic pump motor for pitch control), Boeing 707 (hydraulic drive motor for landing gear) and F16 Fighter (cooling compressor drive). But none of his accomplishments puts a smile on his face like his vineyard.

“It’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” says Mikulic, 73, who planted his first grapes on the premise 27 years ago. “It’s been a work in progress. Between my work and God’s work we made a pretty nice farm.”

We, he says, referring to his wife, Barbara.

“This vineyard has grown beyond his original intentions,” Barbara said, “yet he has plans for growing more on this property. This was originally just his hobby, now it’s a successful business.”

Mikulic graduated from Zagreb University in southeast Europe. Upon graduation he found employment in Chicago.

“It was always his dream to someday live in the United States,” Barbara said.

Mikulic then transferred to Welco Technologies in Cincinnati “because the terrain reminded me of Croatia,” he said.
Roughly 27 years ago the couple cleared 22 of the 40 acres. Kreso envisioned a small vineyard, so the couple experimented with a half acre of grapes. One variety quickly turned into seven, and the half acre turned into 15. Ten years later the couple added a solarium, a gazebo and a small restaurant (which holds 500) to share the scenery and wine with guests. And today they tend to 22 acres of the fruit.

More land was cleared and three small lakes were added. So attractive was their vineyard and its valley that someone gave them the idea of hosting weddings and other social gatherings. The couple hired a chef and kitchen staff and opened a small restaurant. The added attractions added visitors and guests, but Kreso kept focus on the vineyard.

“A vineyard takes about four years from planting to harvest,” Rolfert said. “That fourth year isn’t a very big year, but after that things get a lot better.”

While most farmers need less rain this time of year those at Vinoklet welcome the downpours. On the downside, there’s the black rot, powdery mildew and downey mildew to contend with.
“Even growing grapes can be tough at times,” Mikulic said. “Grapes are hard to grow in Ohio, especially the dry red.”

With no more than six employees at any given time, the workers perform all the duties at this winery, from the picking to the grape crushing, to the bottling. Several 18-hour days in the crush house are spent by the employees at harvest time.

Mikulic’s seven varieties of wine are sold in 28 states. The winery now produces 20,000 cases (or 240,000 bottles) of wine annually. Quite an accomplishment, especially from one who made a living from his knowledge of electricity and motors rather than grapes on a vine.

“I know what I can expect, and I know what I can do and how far I can go,” Mikulic said. “One needs to be very persistent. When you’re hit the hardest, just don’t quit.”

Vinoklet Winery is located at 11069 Colerain Avenue in Cincinnati. For more information about this winery or its Art and Wine Festival on Sept. 12-13, call 513-385-9309.